A trigger point (TP) is a tender area of muscle that develops when the tissue surrounding the muscle, called fascia (or myofascia) contracts and sticks to itself. They are often identified as a painful “knots” under the skin that can cause pain in the area where it has developed. It could also feel tight and contracted, even when you are trying to relax, and they are often sensitive to the touch. The affected area may even become inflamed or swollen. Trigger point injections are pain management treatments that involves injecting a local anesthetic combined with a steroid medication into a trigger point to relax muscles and relieve pain.
Are trigger point injections nerve blocks?
Trigger point injections are not truly nerve blocks; rather they are muscle blocks. Muscles that are chronically tense or in spasm become tender and painful. The pain triggers more spasm and a vicious cycle develops. Chronic area pain develops in associated with chronic pain usually is associated with poor posture, injury to the muscle, poor mechanics leading to a stress of the muscles, joint disorders, tension headaches, fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome. Physical therapy and exercise are the primary treatments, but injections into the muscle can help to break the vicious cycle.
How soon will I see an improvement in pain?
Some patients will experience immediate relief, however, it usually takes 24 to 72 hours for the effects of the steroid medication to take effect and it may be up to 1 week before the maximum benefits are achieved. Trigger injections target the pain being caused by muscular problems.
Come and get relief from your pain at The Wellness Medical Clinic. We can schedule a trigger point injection consult and treatment with a highly-skilled physician in Florida.